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crowns

Crown Procedure

A crown is sometimes termed a "cap" or "jacket." A crown will restore a large filling or a cracked tooth to its original size, shape and tooth color. A crown may be recommended after root canal therapy has been completed, as the tooth tends to become brittle and is more likely to fracture. A crown can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improves the appearance of your teeth. With the advances in technology, we now have the ability to make ceramic crowns with no metal.

To place a crown, your dentist must reduce 1-2 mm of the tooth to make room for it. Your dentist will then use a piece of thread or cord or use a laser to push the gum down around the tooth, to take an impression of the tooth. The impressions are sent to the lab where the crown is made. During that time, you will have a temporary crown. These crowns are usually made of plastic and are made in your dentist's office on the day of your visit. They are not meant to last. If a temporary crown is left in the mouth, the cement eventually washes out and the tooth can decay. At a second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and test the permanent one. Sometimes crowns need additional polishing, glaze or some other adjustment before they are placed. Once the crown is ready, it's cemented to your tooth.

Crown Aesthetics

If your smile is in need of a makeover, crowns can provide predictable results. Crowns can give an unattractive tooth back its beautiful shape and color. For smaller or worn down teeth, a crown can restore the natural size of the old tooth. A crown can replace either part of or the tooth's entire structure. For procedures requiring only the areas visible from the outside, a veneer may be an alternative option.

Types of Crowns

With today's advances in dentistry, there are several options when choosing a type of crown:

E4D Crowns In One Visit

The E4D is a digital scanner, design center, and milling unit all wrapped up in one to be able to fabricate a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing crown restoration in as little as one hour. The E4D is capable of designing not only crowns, but veneers, inlays and onlays! The E4D system scans your teeth, designs the new tooth, and precisely mills the replacement. No temporaries. No second appointment

1. The first thing we do examine the tooth that is to be restored. More often than not, we need to reduce the original tooth structure in order to allow a proper fit for the new E4D crown and to create a solid foundation for the new crown to bond with.

2. Next, using our state-of-the-art E4D machine, we digitally scan the area of your mouth that is being prepared for your new crown. This is done by using the E4D wand and scanning the appropriate area which allows us to bring in an accurate representation of the restoration area.

3. Once your tooth is scanned in to the E4D system we start the design phase. The E4D machine brings up the scanned high-resolution 4D representation of the prepped area. We digitally create a new tooth that will fit perfectly over the designated area. Matching the color of your surrounding teeth, along with the correct size and shape. A precision fitted crown is created to give the feel and look of your natural teeth that will also function as a real tooth as well.

4. Using the same E4D machine, we send your newly designed crown to the milling machine. Your crown is then milled, right in our office, to match what was digitally created. We place a porcelain block that has been colored matched to correspond perfectly with your natural teeth, in to the machine and run the program. The E4D machine then robotically fabricates a perfect new crown that is ready to be placed in the restoration area of your mouth. At this point, your new crown is ready to be adhered. No waiting. No temporaries. No other required appointments at a later date.

Full Porcelain Crowns

These are very aesthetic, bonded crowns. They are mostly used for front teeth because they are the most natural looking type of crown and are often used in "cosmetic" dentistry.

There are many types, but they all have a common feature - no metal. They can occasionally break, but dental technology has advanced far enough to make them quite strong.

Gold Crown

The 'gold' standard. Dental gold is about 60% gold alloy which is meant to match the hardness of the enamel of opposing teeth so both wear about evenly, an important trait. Gold does not tarnish or corrode and has some bacterial-inhibiting quality. Gold crowns are strong and will not break. However, gold crowns obviously are not considered aesthetic; they are gold colored. Usually, gold crowns are used for lower back molars because they aren't as noticeable.

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Dr. Breazeal would love to meet you and your family and provide you with the best dental care!